Roscrea Comhaltas concert for Uganda
Roscrea Comhaltas presents an evening of music, song and dance performed by local artists at the Racket Hall Hotel on Sunday February 12th at 5pm.
Proceeds in aid of the Sr Mona Uganda School Project. There will also be a monster raffle at the event, which is an evening not to be missed! Admission for adults is €5 and children go free.
Sisters seek support in Uganda
People are being encouraged to support this concert in aid of children in Uganda, where Roscrea sisters Sr Mona and Sr Eileen Maher have been working with the poor since 1970.
The concert will be hosted by Roscrea Comhaltas, which is already sponsoring schoolchildren in Uganda. Sr Mona and Sr Eileen are hoping to install a rainwater harvesting facility in their school and are presently fundraising for this project, which has an estimated total cost of €3,200.
Sr Mona says the people of Roscrea have been very supportive of the missionary work she and Sr Eileen have been doing in Uganda since the early 1970s, by prayer, by interest, by communication and financially.
“Perhaps it has been a long family history that has brought this about,” she said. “Our parents, Kathleen and Toby Maher, were involved in the social and farming life in Roscrea. Our brother Tim, and Kathleen, have been part of Comhaltas, Roscrea, and nephew Tadhg as teacher and musician has been engaged in Roscrea life.
“I know that it is through these and other contacts that Coloma Primary School and its children have become well known, loved and supported. For this, we are truly grateful, and please know that it has transformed children’s lives and their families
“As I said last week the people of Roscrea furnished our first classroom and bought books and uniforms for the children and beds for the dormitory. Father Lorcan Kenny is our big friend and together with the students of Coláiste Phobal through their coin collection, fast days and other innovative ways, have been responsible for many a girl completing her primary school education. To our great joy Father Lorcan has spent some Easters with us and has given us lovely creative prayerful liturgies. We are ever grateful to Father Lorcan for that.
“We have had other visitors over the years – Seamus Dennison, who worked very hard in the hot African sunshine, to the amazement of the people; Michael Thompson, Tadhg, Louise Hickey – and they have added life and created lasting friendships among us. Recently Ann and Noel Murray from Cloghan and Birr visited us and Reverend Janet White Spunner has also been with us.
“Visitors bring their life and newness to us but Michael Thompson deserves a special mention. His football skills were highly appreciated
“In the minds of the children, the most important country after Uganda is Ireland and for many it is called Roscrea! Apart from sponsoring individual children, we have been assisted in establishing rain water harvesting and installing solar lighting systems on the buildings. We have got playground equipment for the children, planted over 3,000 trees, bought two bicycles, clothing, footwear, uniforms for the children, and the list goes on. Comhaltas, senior and junior, have committed to support Theresa and Elizabeth for seven years. Many others have made similar commitments and we are appreciative of all.
“No doubt the people of Roscrea, Birr and the surrounding areas are true stakeholders of Coloma Primary School, and may the friendships that have begun remain and continue to grow over the years. We bless you all.”